In 2010, the candidates for state senate raised a total of $18,614,595 in campaign contributions. The top 10 donors were: <ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=NC&y=2010&f=S ''Follow the Money'': "North Carolina Senate 2010 Campaign Contributions"]</ref>

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During the [[North Carolina State Senate elections, 2012|2012 election]], the total contributions to the 129 Senate candidates was $15,133,676. The top 10 contributors were:<ref>[http://www.followthemoney.org/database/StateGlance/state_candidates.phtml?s=NC&y=2012&f=S ''Follow the Money'' "North Carolina State Senate 2012 Campaign Contributions"]</ref>

Campaign contributions

This chart shows how many candidates ran for state senate in North Carolina in past years and the cumulative amount of campaign contributions in state senate races, including contributions in both primary and general election contests. All figures come from Follow The Money.[1]

Year

Number of candidates

Total contributions

2012

129

$15,133,676

2010

137

$18,614,595

2008

115

$15,991,201

2006

99

$14,697,182

2004

137

$13,819,791

2002

172

$12,996,012

2000

111

$9,180,706

During the 2012 election, the total contributions to the 129 Senate candidates was $15,133,676. The top 10 contributors were:[2]

2012 Donors, North Carolina State Senate

Donor

Amount

North Carolina Republican Party

$2,872,503

North Carolina Democratic Party

$301,275

Randy Ramsey

$257,908

Nationwide

$138,000

NC State Democratic Caucus

$135,584

North Carolina Medical Society

$112,250

North Carolina Hospital Association

$106,250

North Carolina Association of Realtors

$105,750

North Carolina Farm Bureau

$103,200

North Carolina Republican Senate Caucus

$97,735

Impact of redistricting

The Republican-controlled General Assembly approved final redistricting maps on July 27, 2011. Although the Department of Justice pre-cleared the maps as it is their legal responsibility to do for North Carolina under the Voting Rights Act, lawsuits followed from Democrats and community groups arguing that the maps engaged in political and racial gerrymandering, and unnecessarily split counties. The suits were later consolidated. Though the elections were given the go-ahead, and the political gerrymandering claims were dismissed, the suit remains pending.[3]

Using a method developed by Charlie Cook, Catawba College Professor Michael Bitzer calculated the political make-up of the finalized districts. Using the presidential vote in 2004 and 2008, he divided seats into "likely," "lean," and "toss-up." In the House, Bitzer found that 36 of the new districts were likely Republican wins while 30 were likely Democratic wins. In addition, he found that 37 seats leaned Republican while only six seats leaned Democrat. Overall, 11 House seats were toss-ups. In the State Senate, Bitzer identified 14 districts that were likely wins for each party. However, he identified 17 seats that leaned Republican while only two seats leaned Democrat. There were three Senate toss-ups.[4]

Qualifications

Article 2, Section 6 of the North Carolina Constitution states: Each Senator, at the time of his election, shall be not less than 25 years of age, shall be a qualified voter of the State, and shall have resided in the State as a citizen for two years and in the district for which he is chosen for one year immediately preceding his election.